Parents Criticize July 31 School Start Date In Cobb County

The author of an online petition criticizing Cobb County School District’s July 31 start date said the date crosses a symbolic line, threatening the traditional summer vacation. The petition asks the school board to take away extra week breaks in September and February, or consider adding days in May to balance out the summer.

The school board approved the calendar two years ago. A district spokesperson said the fall semester start date is required to meet the minimum amount of school days, factoring in the mid-semester breaks.